Automatic traying apparatus



March 6, 1962 c. G. scHEscH AUTOMATIC TRAYTNG APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 16. 1959 March 6, 1962 c. G. scHEscH AUTOMATIC TRAYTNG APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 16. 1959 INVENTOR. EFTRLE.. SCHESEH March 6, 1962 c. G. scHEscH 3,023,555

AUTOMATIC TRAYING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 16. 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 /M/fA/TJK Cam. E- 5 :HEscr-l March 6, 1962 c. G. scHEscH 3,023,555

AUTOMATIC TRAYING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 16. 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ci/@WFP INVENTOR. Cin, 6. .Sc/fisc# States This invention relates to apparatus for automatically depositing articles such as small, fragile, wire-wound electron tube grids into individual compartments of a plurality of trays.

In the manufacture of wire wound electron tube grids, it is the practice to deposit grids received from a gridmaking machine into individual compartments of trays for further processing. While in the trays, the grids may be washed or fired or both to remove Igrease or other foreign matter which might adversely effect the life of a tube into which the grid is ultimately incorporated. It is preferred to avoid as much as possible handling the grids during their processing so as to avoid damage thereto and deposit of foreign matter thereon. Automatic grid traying apparatus has previously been used in conjunction with a grid-making machine or lathe to avoid these difficulties.

In traying apparatus of the prior art, trays having cornpartments aligned in longitudinal and transverse rows are indexed in both longitudinal and transverse directions to register each compartment thereof with a grid dispensing device vconnected to the grid making machine. Such bidirectional indexing frequently damages the grids 'already deposited in the tray being indexed due to the sliding action of the grids in the tray. Whenever a tray is indexed, a grid lying on its side is caused to slide over the floor of its compartment. If the direction of indexing movement is substantially parallel to the helically wound later-al wires of the grid, no appreciable distortion of the lateral wires is encountered. The grid merely rolls or slides on its lateral wires in a sled-runner-like action. However, if the direction of indexing movement is perpendicular to the lateral wires, the grid, in sliding over the iloor of its compartment, can easily have its laterals distorted. Such distortion may be either a distortion of spacing between lateral wires or a distortion so as to ultimately aifect cathode-to-grid spacing. Both of these distortions would affect the electrical characteristics of the tube in which the grid might be used and would cause nonuniformity of characteristics from tube to tube.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide an improved automatic grid traying apparatus which avoids the grid distortion problems present in prior art oi-directional indexing apparatus.

My invention is embodied in apparatus wherein compartmental trays are automatically removed from a first magazine of trays, advanced past a grid dispenser where grids are deposited into each of the compartments thereof, and then stacked in a second tray magazine. According to my invention the trays are advanced in intermittent indexed movements past and beneath the grid dispenser in a single direction, and the grid dispenser is moved back and forth over the tray in intermittent indexed movements in directions transverse to the direction of tray advance. The intermittent indexed movements of both the trays and the grid dispenser are synchronized so that the dispenser is successively registered with each compartment of the advancing trays. The direction of movement of the trays is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the grids, that is, substantially parallel to the lateral wires, so as to preserve the grids deposited therein from excessive distortion.

ln the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a portion of a grid traying apparatus according to my invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. l;

atet

FIG. 3 is an end elevation view in partial section of the lapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are top plan and side elevation views, respectively, of a portion of a grid traying apparatus according to my invention for co-operation with the apparatus of FIG. 1.

That part of the apparatus for transporting the trays and made according to my invention, includes a pair of conveyor chains mounted side by side on a supporting frame by means of a plurality of sprocket wheels. The conveyor chains move past a tray loading mechanism and a tray discharge mechanism. The conveyor chains are provided with a plurality of spaced tray holders which receive the trays at the tray loading position from a first tray magazine. The conveyor chains are then advanced in intermediate indexed steps along their path of travel to register the compartments of the trays with a grid dispensing apparatus to be described. When the tray has been filled, the conveyor chains 'are then moved along their path to a discharge position where the trays are unloaded frorn the tray holders into a second tray magazine. Loading and unloading at the trays is done by vertically moving platforms which pass through the conveyor chains and tray holders.

FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show the tr-ay handling apparatus 10 made according to my invention. The conveyor chains and their supports include a frame 12 on which is mounted a drive shaft 14, a lower idler shaft 15, and two upper idler shafts 16 and 17. A pair of driver sprockets 18 are mouned on the drive shaft 14 and pairs of idler sprockets 19 are mounted on the idler shafts 15, 16, and 17.

The pair of tray conveyor chains 20 are mounted on the light sprockets 18 and 19. Chain tensioning adjustment screws 21 are provided for adjusting the position of the lower idler shaft 15. A continuously running drive motor 22 is directly coupled to a gear reduction unit 24, on the output shaft 25 of which is mounted a driver sprocket 26. A main drive chain 27 is coupled between the driver sprocket 26 and a driven sprocket 28 mounted on the drive shaft 14.

The driven sprocket 28 is continuously driven by the motor 22. However, the drive shaft 14 is connected to the driven sprocket 28 only at intervals by means of a magnetic clutch 29 which will be referred to as the tray clutch. Co-operating with the tray clutch is an electromagnetic brake 30 which is mounted on the upper idler shaft 16'.

When it is desired to advance the `conveyor chains, the electromagneticclutch 29 is energized and the electromagnetic brake 3i) deenergized. Energization of the tray clutch 29 couples the driven sprocket 28 to the shaft 14 which in turn drives the two chain drive sprockets 18. Advance of the conveyor chains 2&1 is stopped by simultaneously de-energizing the tray clutch 29 and energizing the tray brake 3d. These actions are controlled by a control system to be described.

A plurality of tray holders 31 are mounted on the conveyor chains 2@ and extend therebetween. The tray holders 31 are suitably spaced along the conveyor chains 2@ so that a pair of tray holders 31 are adapted to receive in supporting relation a single tray 32 to be carried along with advance of the conveyor chains 2t). The trays 32 are compartmented (see FIG. 4) with mutually perpendicular longitudinal and transverse rows of compartments for receiving therein a plurality of small articles such as electron tube grids. Those trays can be single or multiple row and can have any number of compartments in a row. The drive motor 22, gear reduction unit 24, and drive chain 27, are such as to advance the conveyor chains20 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1.

A pair of tray magazines 33 and 34 are provided at locations above and centered between the two conveyor chains 20. The tirst tray magazine 33 serves to hold a supply of empty trays and the second tray magazine 34 serves to receive trays which have been loaded with articles at an article loading station 36 between the two magazines.

Each of the tray magazines 33 and 34 comprise four frame members 40 which are mounted on the frame 12. A pair of support rods 42. are mounted between each pair of `frame members 40 so as to extend transversely to the two conveyor chains 20. On each pair of support rods 42 there is vertically mounted a pair of L-angle members 44 which together with a second similar pair comprises four tray corner guides of each of the tray magazines 33 and 34. The L-angle members 44 are laterally adjustable along the support rods 42 to accommodate trays of different desired width.

Trays stacked in the first magazine 33 are held therein by four double-acting tray-support air cylinders 45' having piston rods 45 which are rubber tipped on their ends and are adapted to frictionally grip the bottom tray of a stack of trays.

Empty trays are removed from the rst tray magazine 33 and deposited on tray holders on the conveyor chains 20 by a movable loading platform 46. The loading platform 46 is disposed between the two conveyor chains 20 and is adapted to be elevated from beneath lthe chains 20 and to a position adjacent a stack of trays in the first tray magazine 33. The loading platform 46 is mounted on the piston rod -48 of a rst double acting air cylinder 50. A guide rod 51 is attached to the loading platform 46 and slides in a bore in the frame 12 to prevent the platform 46' from rotating.

An unloading platform 52 is mounted on the piston rod 4 of a second double-acting air cylinder 56 and is adapted to lift article-loaded trays from Ithe conveyor chains 20 and deposit themin the second tray magazine 34. The unloading platform is likewise provided with a guide rod 57 to prevent its rotation.

To deposit the bottom tray of a stack of trays in the first magazine 33 onto the conveyor chains 20, the loading platform 46 is raised to an elevation spaced from the bottom tray by an amount equal to one tray thickness. The four' tray-support air cylinders 45 are energized to withdraw the gripper plungers from against the sides of the bottom tray thus permitting the entire stack of trays to fall upon the loading platform 46. The four traysupport air cylinders 45 are then energized in the opposite direction to cause the grippersV to contact and grip the next to the bottom tray which then becomes the bottom tray when platfrom 46 moves downwardly. The loading platform 46 is then lowered to below the pair of conveyor chains 20 and thereby deposits the bottom tray from the stack on a pair of tray holders 31 on the conveyor chains 20.

To remove an article-loaded tray from the conveyor chains 20, the second air cylinder 56 is energized to elevate the unloading platform 52 and the tray which is carried therewith up into the second tray magazine 34. Four latches 60, pivotally mounted on the four L-angle members 44 of the second tray magazine 34, are contacted by the tray being elevated and pivoted to permit the tray to be raised thereabove. Coil` springs 62 connected to the four latches 60 return the latches to the position shown in FIGS. l and 3 and, thus, upon subsequent lowering of the unloading platform 52, provide a support for the tray which was just elevated into the second tray magazine 34.

The first air cylinder 50 which operates the loading platform 46, the second air cylinder 56 which operates the unloading platform 52, and the four tray-support air cylinders 4S are energized, respectively, by first, second, and third solenoid-operated four-way air valves 64, 66, and 68. The three four-way valves 64, 66, and 68 are connected to a source of air pressure (not shown). When the solenoid of the rst air valve 64 is actuated in one direction, air pressure is supplied through pipe 70` to the rst air cylinder 50 to raise the loading platform 46. When the solenoid of the first air valve 64 is actuated in the opposite direction, air pressure is supplied through pipe 72 to the first air cylinder 50 to lower the loading platform 46. `In similar manner, by actuation of the solenoid of the second air valve 66, air pressure is supplied through pipe 74 to raise the unloading platform 52, and through pipe '76 to lower the unloading platform 52.

A pair of air pressure supply pipes 78 and 80 are connected from the third air valve 68 to a header 82 which is in turn connected to a pair of manifolds 84. The manifolds 84 are disposed one on each side of the first tray magazine 33. Suitable pipes 86 connect the manifolds 84 to the four tray-support air cylinders 45 so that actuation of the solenoid of the third air valve 68 effects an inward or outward actuation of the gripper plungers of the four tray-support cylinders 45.

A series of switches, hereinafter described, provide the desired synchronized operation of the three air valves 64, 66, and 68 with the advance of the conveyor chains 20.

As will be appreciated from the following description of the tray handling apparatus 10, the two platforms 46 and S2 will never both be raised at the same time from beneath the conveyor chains 20. Such a condition is, however, illustrated in FIG. 1 for the purpose of more clearly showing the two platforms and their operation. Accordingly, the positions of the platforms 46 and 52, as shown in the drawings, are not indicative of the condition of the switching system, hereinafter described, which operates the platforms.

The article dispensing apparatus 38 includes a transport device, preferably a belt conveyor, which deposits articles into .the trays advanced by the tray handling apparatus 10. The belt conveyor is mounted transversely relative to the chain conveyors 20 of the tray handling apparatus 10 between the two tray magazines thereof. This conveyor is movable transversely back and forth over the advancing trays to successively register its dispensing end with the compartments of the trays. The back and forth transverse movements of the belt conveyor are synchronized with the indexed advance movements of the conveyor chains 20 by a control system to be described.

The belt conveyor is slidably mounted on a track and is driven in its back and forth movements by an attached carriage mounted on a lead screw. The lead screw is driven by a continuously running drive motor which is intermittentlyV engaged with the lead screw by an electromagnetic clutch. The endless `belt of the conveyor is continuously driven by a separate motor mounted on the carriage.

The article dispensing apparatus 3S. is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This portion of the grid traying apparatus comprises a frame 94 which is fixed relative to the frame 12 of the tray handling apparatus 10. A continuously running drive rnotor 96 is mounted on the frame 94 and drives a lead screw 9S through a pair of spur gears 100 and 101. An electromagnetic clutch 102 is mounted on the drive shaft 104 of the drive motor 96 and is fixed against rotation relative to the driver gear 100. Accordingly, energization and deenergization of the electromagnetic clutch 192 serves to engage and disengage the lead screw 98 to and from the drive motor 96. An electromagnetic brake 108, mounted on the lead screw g3 and fixed to the driven gear 101, is operated in synchronisrn but in opposite phase with electromagnetic clutch 102 to stop rotation of the lead Screw immediately upon deenergization of the electromagnetic clutch 102.

A carriage 112 is mounted on the lead screw 98 and adapted to be moved therealong in response to a rotation of the lead screw 98. The carriage includes a guide pin M4 attached thereto which is free to slidably move in a slotted way member U6. The gui-de pin 114 serves to prevent rotation or tilting of the carriage 112 about the lead screw 98.

Mounted on the carriage 112 is an article transport device 118 which includes a channeled housing 120, an endless conveyor belt 122, and a pair of belt supporting rollers 124 over which the belt 122 is mounted. A continuously running, electrically reversible, conveyor drive motor 126 is mounted on the carriage 112. The motor 126 drives the endless belt 122 by means of a driver pulley 128 mounted on the motor shaft, a driven pulley 131) connected to one of the rollers 124, and a driver belt 132 coupled between pulley 128 and 130. The drive train for the endless belt 122 is such that the belt is driven in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 5. At the dispensing end (the left end as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) of the article transport device 118 there is provided a guide chute 134 for directing into the compartments of the trays, articles transported thereto by the belt 122.

The article dispensing apparatus 38 is oriented with the conveyor belt 122 extending substantially perpendicularly to the conveyor chains 20 of the tray handling apparatus 10, and with the guide chute 134 at the article dispensing station 36 at an elevation slightly above the top level of the conveyor chains 20. The conveyor belt 122 of the article dispensing apparatus 38 extends beneath a dispensing chute 144. The dispensing chute 144 may comprise a part of any desired article fabricating machine such as a grid lathe 140 as is well known in the art. The grid lathe 140 is preferably of a known design which is capable of automatically fabricating and ejecting grids therefrom.

In operation of the article dispensing apparatus 38, the carriage drive motor 96 and the conveyor drive motor 126 are continuously running. Accordingly, the endless conveyor belt 122 is continuously running and the carriage 112 is moved whenever the carriage clutch 182 is energized. Thus, whenever a grid is fabricated yby the grid lathe 148 and ejected through the dispensing chute 144, it falls upon the conveyor belt 122 and is transported therealong and dispensed through the guide chute 134 into a compartment in the tray 32 on the conveyor chains 20.

After selected dispensing of a grid from the guide chute 134, the transport device 118 is indexed to a different position to register the guide chute 134 with an adjacent tray compartment. Such indexed movement is provided by energizing the carriage clutch 182 to move the carriage-supported transport device 118 along the lead screw 98.

An electrical switching system is provided for effecting the desired indexed movements of the transport device 118 and is electrically associated with the switching system which provides the desired indexing of the conveyor .chains 20. Accordingly, the two switching systems are mutually synchronized such that the tray 32 is longitudinally advanced by the conveyor chains 20 and the transport device 118 is indexed back and forth transversely so that each compartment of a tray passing by the article dispensing station 36 registers with the guide chute 134. In order to insure that the combined indexing of the tray handling apparatus and the article dispensing apparatus 38 is synchronized with the ejection of grids by the grid lathe 148, a lathe switch 162 is provided and adapted to be actuated by a cam on the grid lathe 140 eadh time a grid is fabricated and ejected therefrom. The lathe switch 162 is electrically associated with the indexing switching systems of both the tray handling apparatus 19 and the article dispensing apparatus 38. Specifically, the lathe switch 162 is coupled through a system of relays to both the tray clutch 29 and brake 3i) as well as to the carriage clutch 102 and brake 108.

The desired indexed advanced movements of the conveyor chains 20 of the tray handling apparatus 18 are provided by first, second, and third limit switches 166, 168, and 170, respectively, which are actuated by a cam assembly 172 (FIGS. l and 3). The cam assembly 172 comprises a cam hub 174 on which is mounted a camming tooth 176 for actuating the second switch 168, a camming tooth 178 for actuating the third switch 170, and a camming disk 180 having a plurality of teeth 182 for actuating the first switch 166. The cam assembly 172 is keyed to the main drive shaft 14 and is adapted to complete one revolution for each complete tray handling cycle of the tray handling apparatus 10. In so doing, the camming tooth 176 operates the second switch 168 once during each4 revolution of the cam assembly 172. Likewise, the second camming tooth 178 operates the third switch once with each revolution thereof. The camming disk is provided with as many teeth 182 as there are tranverse rows of compartments in a tray and, accordingly, actuates the rst switch 166 as many times as there are transverse rows of compartments in a tray for each tray handling cycle of the tray handling apparatus 10.

The first micro switch 166 serves to simultaneously deenergize the tray clutch 29 and energize the tray brake 30 when in one position to terminate indexing of conveyor chain at the proper position. When in its other position, the switch 166 permits the tray clutch 29 to be energized and the tray brake 30 to be deenergized.

The second switch 168 serves to energize and deenergize the solenoid of the rst four-way air valve 64 which in turn effects a raising and lowering of the loading platform 46.

The third micro switch 170 serves to energize and deenergize the second `four-Way air valve 66 which effects a raising and lowering of the unloading platform 52.

A micro switch 184 is mounted on the first air cylinder 50 and is actuated -by ya tripper ange 186 secured to the piston rod y48 of the first air cylinder 50. This micro switch serves to energize the solenoid of the third four- Way air valve 68 which operates the four tray-support air cylinders 45. The four tray-support cylinders 45 are operated only after the first four-way valve 64 has been energized to raise the loading platform 46 to beneath a stack of trays in the first tray magazine 33 at which time the tripper ange 108 wmes into contact with switch 184. The switch 184 is furthermore so connected lthat when it is Atripped to energize the third four-way -air valve 68, a timer relay (K16 of FIG. 6) is actuated which maintains the solenoid of this air valve in an energized position for a short period of time, eg., one to three seconds. This insures that the stack of trays in the first tray magazine '33 will have had sufficient time to drop down upon the loading platform 46 before the four tray-support air cylinders 45 are reversed, when timer has completed its cycle, to regrip the next to the bottom tray.

Operation of the dispensing apparatus 38 is controlled by three limit switches 188, 198, and 192 shown in FIG. 4. These switches effect the intermittent indexing movements of the transport device l118. These three switches 188, 190, and 192 will ybe referred to hereinafter, respectively, as the left, center, and right limit switches. The center switch 190 is positioned so as .to be actuated by three trippers 194, 196, and 198 mounted on a carriage `rod 199. The three trippers 194, 196, and 198 will hereinafter be referred to, respectively, as the left, center, and right trippers. The left micro switch 188 is adapted to be actuated by the left support 208 of the carriage 112. The right micro switch 192 is adapted to be actuated by the right support 202 of the carriage 112.

'I'he left micro switch 188 is tripped by the left support 2 00 at substantially the same time (but not after) the rlght tripper 198 actuates the center micro switch 190. Similarly, the right micro switch 192 is actuated by the mght support 202 at substantially the same time (but not after) the center micro switch 190` is actuated by the left tripper 194. The indexing movements of the dispenser apparatus 38 are eiected by energization of the carriage clutch 102 which is always initiated by actuation of the lathe switch 162. The center micro switch 190 serves only to deenergize the carriage clutch 102 to stop the indexing movements. Accordingly, the left, center, and right trippers 194, 196, and 198, which actuate Ithe center switch 190, are so mutually spaced along their support rod 199 that the dispenser movements are stopped after a desired distance of advance to register the guide chute 134 ywith the tray compartments.

The left micro switch 188 serves to reverse the direction of rotation of the carriage motor '96 and condition a circuit hereinafter described so that the iirst subsequent tripping of the lathe switch 162 will energize the tray clutch 29 and the second subsequent tripping of the. lathe switch 162 will energize the carriage clutch 102". The right switch 192 serves to effect a reversal of rota.h4 tion of the carriage motor 96 opposite to that which is elected by the left switch 188, and lto condition a circuit to produce the same results as the circuit conditioning. effected by the left switch 188 and described in the precetti` ing sentence.

If desired, one or more safety switches may be pro-4 vided in conjunction with the tray handling apparatus and the article dispensing apparatus 38. `For example, in FIG. 1 safety switches 204 and 206 are shown beneath the loading and unloading platforms 46 and 52 and may be circuited as hereinafter described to shut down 4both the grid lathe 140 and the grid traying apparatus of the invention Whenever they are not suitably depressed by their platforms at the lproper times. A third safety switch S is mounted in the first tray magazine 33 and is circuited as hereinafter described to shut down the apparatus when the iirst tray magazine 33 becomes empty.

In the operation of the grid traying device of my invention, an empty tray which has been deposited in the first tray magazine 33 is removed therefrom by the loading platformV 46 and is deposited on the conveyor chains 20. The tray is then moved past the article dispensing station 36 in a single direction in intermittent indexing movements. These movements are equal in length to the distance from one transverse row of compartments to the adjacent transverse row of compartments in the tray. With a given transverse row of compartments in register with the transport device 118 at the article dispensing station 36, grids are ejected onto the conveyor belt 122 and are transported to the end thereof and dropped through the guide chute 134 into la tray compartment. A grid is thus dropped into each compartment in the given trans-v verse row of compartments by virtue of intermittent indexed movements of the transport device 118 yacross the tray in a direction perpendicular to .the direction of tray advance provided by the conveyor chains 20.

When the given transverse row of lcompartments is lled Wit-h grids, the tray 32 is indexed forward so that the next transverse row is lbrought into register with the transport device 118. The transport device 118 then moves in indexed movements across the tray 32 in the opposite direction to deposit a grid in each of the compartments in said next transverse row. When a tray has been thus completely lled with grids, it is lifted by the unload-ing platform 52 and deposited in the second tray magazine 34.

FIG. 6 illustrates a switching circuit suitable for operating the tray-handling apparatus 10 and the dispenser apparatus '38 according to my invention. In the circuit of FIG. 6, various relay solenoids are represented by K numbers. Dotted lines are extended from each relay solenoid to the contacts of that relay which the solenoid actuates. All relay contacts are designated by lower-case letters and are shown in their condition with their respective relay solenoids deenergized.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the dispensing apparatus is iliustrated in a condition for dispensing a grid into compart- S ment .A of the tray 32. In FIG. 4 the guide chute 134 .is also illustrated in phantom in a position for dispensing -a grid into compartment C of the tray 32. In describing 'the operation of my invention with reference to the cir- Acuit of FIG. 6, a complete cycle of operation will be vdescribed beginning with a description of the apparatus 3S immediately after it has deposited a grid in compare ment B of the tray 32. The complete cycle to be de- :scribed involves depositing of grids in compartments C, iD, E, F, G, and Accordingly, the condition of the dispensing apparatus G8 corresponding to the condition of the circuit of FIG. 6 comprises the center tripper 196 being disposed in contact with the center micro switch 190 and the guide chute l13d disposed for depositing of .a grid in the compartment B.

Referring again to the circuit of FIG. 6, the relay KL is a latch-type relay having two operating solenoids. Solenoid A of relay KL when energized serves to actuate the contacts to one position and solenoid B of the relay when energized serves to actuate the contacts to their original position as they are shown in FIG. 6. Relay K16 is a time delay relay whose contacts kk are actuated only after a time lapse, eg., 1-3 seconds, after the relay solenoid is energized. Contacts e and c of relay K11 overlap slightly in their closed conditions when K11 is en- -ergized.

In the circuit of tFIG. 6, a suitable alternating current voltage is applied to the terminals 290 as shown for operation of the relay and air valve solenoids and the conveyor, carriage, and belt motors. A suitable direct current voltage is applied to the terminals 292 as shown for operation of the magnetic clutches and brakes.

When the on-otf switch is thrown to the on position, relay K17 is immediately energized and closes its contacts in the belt motor circuit and the clutch and brake circuit. Relay KF is also immediately energized. Contacts k, l, and m of relay KF close to energize the carriage motor for an advance of the carriage to the left as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Also, relay KF contacts r, close and q, p, and ss open but have no imediate effect. Also, upon closing the on-of switch, the conveyor, carriage, and belt motors are energized and begin ltheir continuous running condition. Each time a grid is ejected from the grid lathe, the lathe switch 162 is tripped. As illustrated in the circuit schematic of FIG. 6, such tripping involves rst actuating the switch arm to an upper contact and then shortly thereafter to a lower contact where it remains until the next subsequent tripping thereof. Immediately after the depositing of a grid in compartment B, the lathe switch 162 is tripped up and the circuit of FIG. 6 is conditioned as illustrated except for relays K17 and KF which have already been energized by throwing the `on-of switch to an onl position.

When the lathe switch 162 is actuated to its lower contact, KC2 energizes. Contact a closes energizing the carriage clutch 102 and contacts b opens deenergizing the carriage brake 108. The carriage moves to the left. The center tripper L96 moves out of contact with the center switch and switch 190 closes. K11 is energized; contacts c close and hold K111 energized; contacts d close and contacts e open but have no immediate effect. KC2 remains energized through contact c and switch 190.

When the guide chute 134 registers with compartment C, the left support 200 actuates the left switch 188 to its upper position and the right tripper 198 actuates the center switch 190 open. Both of these switches are maintained in this actuated position until the next carriage movement.

The opening of the center micro switch 190 deenergizes KC2. Contact a opens and contact b closes thus deenergizing the carriage clutch 102 and energizing the carriage brake 108. Carriage motion is thus stopped. A grid is deposited in compartment C by the moving belt 122.

Actuation of the left micro switch 188 conditions the c'ircuit so that the first subsequent tripping of the lathe switch 162 will reverse the carriage motor 96 and will energize the tray clutch 29, and the second subsequent tripping of the lathe switch 162 will again energize the carriage clutch 102.

Another grid is ejected by the grid lathe 140 and the lathe switch 162 is again tripped to its upper position. `K11 is deenergized; contacts e close; and contacts c and d open, none of which have any immediate effect. The lathe switch 162 is thus actuated to its lower position and KC3 is energized through contacts e and the left switch 188. Contacts close energizing the tray clutch 29 and contacts g open deenergizing the tray brake 30. The tray conveyor thus advances the tray 32 towards the second tray magazine 34.

Advance of the tray conveyor rotates the cam assembly 172 and the next tooth 182 on the camming disk 180 closes the first micro switch 166 which in turn energizes K12. Contacts h, j, and o close and contacts and y open. Closing of contacts h energizes K11 and K11s contacts c and d close and contacts e open. Contacts c serve to hold K111 energized. Actuation of contacts e and d have no imediate effect. The closing of contacts o serves to hold KCS energized through the 4first switch 166. The opening of contacts y has no immediate effect. The opening of contacts i deenergizes KF which in turn opens contacts k, l, m, and r and closes contacts p, q, and ss.

Closing of contacts j and then ss energize relay KR which in turn close contacts n, s, and t which together with the opening of contacts k, l, and m reverse the carriage motor 96. Opening of contacts r and closing of contacts p and q have no immediate effect. Closing of contacts d and j also energizes KLA whose contacts u and x close and v and w open, none of which have an immediate effect.

When tray compartment D is in register with the guide chute 134, the tooth 182 on the camming disk 180 holding the switch 166 closed moves out of contact with the switch and allows the switch 166 to open. KCS is thus deenergized. Contacts fopen deenergizing the tray clutch 29; contacts g close energizing the tray brake 30. The tray conveyor movement is thus stopped.

Opening of the first switch .166 also deenergizes K12. Contacts o, h, and j open and contacts i close, none of which have 4an immediate effect. 'Deenergization of the tray clutch 29 being such as to stop the tray 32 with the compartment D in register with the guide chute 134, a grid is deposited into compartment D.

When the next grid is ejected by the grid lathe 140 and the lathe switch 162 is actuated to its upper position, K11 is deenergized. Contacts c and d open and contacts e close, none of which have an immediate effect since KR remains energized through contacts u.

The lathe switch 162 is then actuated to its lower position. KCZ is energized through contacts x. Contacts a close energizing the carriage clutch 1532; contacts b open deenergizing the carriage brake 103. The transport device 1'18 is moved toward the right.

The tripping of the lathe switch 162 to its lower position together with release of the center micro switch 190 to its closed position also energizes K11. Contacts c close and hold K11 energized. Contacts d close but have no immediate effect. Contacts e open but have no immediate effect since KC2 remains energized through contacts c and the center switch 191B. The motion of the carriage results in the left support 280 moving out of contact with the left micro switch 188 which in turn causes the left switch 188 to be actuated to its lower position. Actuation of the left switch 188 has no immediate effect.

When the transport device 11S has moved so as to bring the guide chute 134 in register with compartment E, the center tripper 196 actuates the center micro switch 190 to an open position. KC2 is deenergized; contacts a open deenergizing the carriage clutch 102, and contacts b close energizing the carriage brake 108. The motion of the transport device 118 is thus stopped and a grid is deposited in compartment E.

Another grid is ejected by the grid lathe 141) and the lathe switch 162 is again actuated to its upper position. K11 is deenergized; contacts c and d open and contacts e close, none of which have an immediate effect.

The lathe switch 162 is then actuated to its lower position and KC2 is energized through contacts e. Contacts a close and energize the carriage clutch 102; contacts b open deenergizing the carriage brake 108.

The transport device 118 is moved further to the right moving the center tripper 196 out of contact with the center switch 196 allowing the center switch 190 to close. K11 is thus energized. Contacts c close and hold K11 energized. Contacts d close and contacts e open, neither of which have any immediate effect since KC2 remains energized through contacts c and the center switch 190.

The motion of the transport device 118 to the right continues until the right support 202 actuates the right switch 192 to its upper position and the left tripper 194 actuates the center switch 190 to an opened position. Actuation of the right micro switch 192 to its upper position -has no immediate effect. The right switch 192 is held in this position until the transport device 118 is again moved toward the left. Opening ,of the center switch 19t) serves to deenergize KC2. Contacts a open deenergizing the carriage clutch 102 and contacts b close energizing the carriage brake 108. The carriage is thus stopped with the guide chute 134 in register with compartment F. A grid is deposited in compartment F.

The tripping of the right switch 192 serves to condition the circiut so that the first subsequent tripping of the lathe switch 162 will reverse the carriage motor 96 and will energize the tray clutch 29, and a second subsequent tripping of the lathe switch 162 will again energize the carriage clutch 102.

Another grid is ejected from the grid lathe and t-he lathe switch 162 is again actuated to its upper position. K11 is thus deenergized. Contacts e close and contacts c and d open, none of which have an immediate effect.

The lathe switch 162 is then actuated to its lower position. K14 is energized through contacts e, the right switch 192, and contacts q and y. Contacts aa close holding K14 energized. Contacts bb close, contacts cc and dd open, none of which have any immediate effect.

The tripping of the lathe switch 162 to its lower position also energizes KCS through contacts e, the right switch 192, and contacts q and p. Contacts f close energizing the tray clutch 29, and contacts g open energizing the tray brake 3ft. The conveyor advances the tray 32 towards the second tray magazine 341.

The advance of the conveyor also results in a rotation of the cam assembly 172 which in turn results in the next tooth 182 of the camming disk 180 actuating the first micro switch 166 to a closed position. K13 is thus energized through switch 166 and contacts bb. Contacts ee, ff, hh, and ji close and contacts gg and z'i open.

Closing of contacts ee holds K13 energized through the switch 166. The opening of contacts iz' has no immediate eect. The closing of contacts jj energizes K11. Contacts c close and hold K11 energized. Contacts d close and contacts e open, neither of which have any immediate effect. `Closing of contacts ff energizes KLB and opening of contacts gg deenergizes KLA and KR. Contacts u immediately open deenergizing KLB, but all KL contacts remain released. Contacts x open and contacts w close, none of which have any immediate effect. Contacts v close and energize KF. KF contacts k, I, and m close which together with the opening of contacts s, t, and n on relay KR result in the reversal of the carriage motor 96. Contacts r close and contacts q and p open, none of which have an immediate effect. Contacts ss open. The closing of contacts hh serve to hold KG3 energized through switch 166.

The tooth 182 of the camming disk 180 moves out of contact with the switch 166 thus alowing the switch 166 to be actuated to an open position. KCS is thus 'deenergized Contacts f open and deenergize the tray clutch 29 and contacts g close and energize the tray brake 30. Conveyor advance is thus stopped with the guide chute 134 in register with compartment G. Opening of the first switch 166 also deenergizes K13. Contacts ee, ff, hh, and jj. open and contacts gg and z'i close, none of which have any immediate eiect. A grid is deposited in compartment G.

Another grid is ejected by the grid lathe 140 and the lathe switch 162 is again actuated to its upper position. K14 is thus deenergized. Contacts aa and bb open, and contacts cc and dd close, none of which have any immediate effect. Actuating of the lathe switch 162 to its upper position also deenergizes K11. Contacts c and d open and contacts e close, none of which have any immediate effect.

The lathe switch 162 is then actuated to its lower position, and KC2 is energized, Contacts a close energizling the carriage clutch 102 and contacts b open deenergizing the carriage brake 108. The transport device 118 is thus moved toward the left. Such movement of the transport device 118 moves the left tripper 194 out of -contact with the center switch 190 and allows the center :switch 190 to close. Movement of the transport device 118 also moves the right support 202 out of contact with the right switch 192 and allows the right switch 192 to be actuated to its lower position.

Closing of the center micro switch 190 causes K11 to be energized. Contacts d close and contacts e open, neither of which have any immediate effect. Contacts c close and hold K11 and KC2 energized, the latter through contacts c, the center switch 190, and contacts dd. Actuating of the right switch 192 to its lower position has no immediate effect.

Movement of the transport device 118 to the left continues until the center tripper 196 actuates the center micro switch 190 to an open position. This occurs when the guide chute 134 has moved into register with compartment H. KC2 is then deenergized. Contacts a open deenergizing the carriage clutch 102, and contacts b close energizing the carriage brake 108. Motion of the transport device 118 is thus stopped with the guide chute 134 in register with compartment H. A grid is deposited in compartment H.

Another grid is ejected by the grid lathe 140 and the lathe switch 162 is actuated to its upper position. K11 is denergized. Contacts c and d open and contacts e close, none of which have any immediate effect. Deenergization of K11 and actuation of its contacts restores the circuit of FIG. 6 to the condition illustrated, a complete cycle of the grid dispensing apparatus 38 having been completed. Such cyclic operation of the tray handling apparatus 1.0 and the grid dispensing apparatus 3S are continued in their intermittent index movements as described until all of the compartments of the tray 32 have been filled.

When the tray 32 has advanced completely from under njeath the r'st tray magazine so that an empty tray can be deposited therefrom and onto the chain conveyors 20, a rotary movement of the cam assembly 132 causes the tooth 176 to actuate the contacts ll and mm of the second switch 168 to an upper position as illustrated in the circuit of FIG. 6. Closing of contacts mm energizes the solenoid 300 of the rst four-way air valve 64 which results in the loading platform 46 being raised to within yone tray thickness of the stack of trays held the first magazine 33. The raising of the loading platform 46 causes the tripper flange 186 on the piston rod 48' of the first air cylinder 50 to be raised and actuate the switch 184` mounted on the first air cylinder to a closed position.

Actuation of the switch 184 energizes the solenoid 302 of the third four-way air valve 68 and a relay K16. The relay K16 is a time delay type of relay in which its contacts kk are actuated to an open position a short time after energization of the relay solenoid, eg., l-3 seconds. When the contacts kk open, the solenoid 302 of the third four-way air valve 68 is deenergized. Thus, the resulting timed energization of the. solenoid 302 of the third four-way air valve 68 insures that the stack of trays in the magazines will drop down and rest on the loading platform 46 before the four-tray support grippers are reactuated to a gripping position. When the third four-way air valve 68 is so reactivated, the rubber tipped piston rods of the air cylinders 45 are thus extended into Contact with thc bottom tray of the stack to thereby support the stack.

As the cycle progresses and the chain conveyor advances, the first tooth 176 on the cam assembly l172 moves out of contact with the second switch 168 thus allowing the solenoid 300 of the first four-way air valve to be deenergized. The loading platform 46 isthus lowered and deposits the bottom-most trayon the conveyor chains 20.

When the tray'32 has been filled with grids and has advanced to a position directly underneath the second tray magazine 34, the contacts 1m and oo of the third switch 170 are actuated to their upper position by the tooth 178 on the cam assembly 172. Such actuation closes contacts o0 and thereby energizes the solenoid 304 of the second four-way air valve 66. As a result, the unloading platform 52 is elevated and carries therewith the full tray 32. 'The tray 32 is elevated past the four tray-support latches 60. The camming tooth 178 then moves out of contact with the third switch 170 allowing the contacts mz and 0o to be actuated to their lower position. This deenergizes the solenoid 304 of the second four-way air valve 66 and allows the unloading platform 52 to bey lowered into its rest position below the conveyor chains 20.

Each time the loading platform 46 and the unloading platform 52 is raised out of contact with the safety switches 204 and 206, respectively, the contacts of these switches are closed. Thus, switch 204 is closed simultaneously with the opening of contacts ll of the second switch 168 and switch 206 is closed simultaneously with the opening of contacts mz of the third switch 170. Upon release of switchesl k168and 170, the air cylinders normally return and open switches 204 or 206 before the lathe switch 162 is again actuated. Thus, relay KIS is never energized in normal proper functioning of the apparatus. However, should the camming teeth holding either contacts ll or mm open, move out of contact with their switches and allow these contacts to close without the platforms having been moved into contact with their respective safety switches 204 and 206 before the next activation of lathe switch v162, the relay KIS will be energized. Its contacts pp will close and hold the relay energized. Contacts qq will open and thus prevent energization of the relay KCS which controls the conveyor advance. Contacts rr will also be actuated to their` lower position to thereby remove all power from the grid lathe and apply power to a signal lamp 308 which indicates malfunctioning of the air cylinder operation.

In event that the first tray magazine 33 becomes empty of trays, the switch 208 will be actuated from its upper position to its lower position. This serves to remove power from the grid. lathe 140V and to apply power to a silgnal lamp 310 which indicates an empty magazine con- 'tion.

It will be appreciated that the grid traying apparatus according to my invention can be adapted to accommodate trays having fewer or greater rows of compartments therein than that illustrated by the tray 32. To

accommodate a tray having fewer or greater transverse rows of compartments, the camming disk 180 is replaced with another camming disk having fewer or greater teeth respectively thereon. To accommodate a tray having fewer or greater longitudinal rows of compartments, some of the trippers 194, 196, or 198 may be removed or additional trippers may be mounted on the carriage rod 199. Spacing of trippers and switches 188, 190, and 192 can be changed to suit tray width and compartment spacing.

What is claimed is:

l. Article traying apparatus comprising an article dispensing device, said article dispensing device comprising a continuously movable conveyor belt, means for advancing a compartmental tray in intermittent indexed movements in a single direction past said device, and means for moving said dispensing device in intermittent indexed movements along a4 single rectilinear line perpendicular to the single direction of advance of said tray, said means for moving said dispensing means comprising a lead screw, reversible means for intermittently rotating said lead screw, a carriage mounted on said lead screw and adapted to be moved therealong in response to rotation of said lead screw, said conveyor belt being mounted on said carriage.

2. Grid traying apparatus for depositing grids comprising lateral wires into compartments of a tray wherein said compartments are arranged in two sets of mutually perpendicular rows, said apparatus comprising means for supporting said tray in grid receiving position, means for dispensing grids comprising lateral wires into said tray, said dispensing means comprising a movable conveyor belt, said dispenser means further comprising a guide chute positioned between one end of said conveyor belt and said tray, and means for imparting mutually synchronized intermittent indexed movements respectively to said tray parallel to one set of mutually perpendicular rows and to said dispensing means parallel to the other set of mutually perpendicular rows so as to successively register each compartment of said tray with said dispensing means.

3. Grid traying apparatus comprising spaced apart first and second magazines for receiving trays having compartments therein arranged in longitudinal and transverse rows, means to remove trays from said first magazine, means ot advance a removed tray in a direction parallel to said longitudinal rows in intermittent indexed movements from said iirst magazine to said second magazine, means to deposit an advanced tray in said second magazine, wire grid dispensing means between said magazines, and means to move said wire grid dispensing means back and forth parallel to said transverse rows in intermittent indexed movements over top of an advancing tray, said wire grid dispensing device comprising a continuously movable conveyor belt.

4. Apparatus for automatically depositing grids comprising lateral wires in the compartments of trays, said compartments being arranged in longitudinal and transverse rows, said apparatus comprising means for transporting a tray in intermittent indexed movements in a single direction parallel to said longitudinal rows past a dispensing station for dispensing grids comprising lateral wires, said indexed movements being equal to the longitudinal distances from the center of one transverse row to the center of another transverse row to thereby successively register said transverse rows with said dispensing station, means for dispensing grids comprising grid lateral wires disposed at said dispensing station and adapted to be extended over said tray and to drop grids dispensed therefrom into the compartments of said tray, said dispensing means comprising a movable conveyor belt, said dispenser means further comprising a guide chute positioned bretween one end of said conveyor belt and said tray, means to move said grid dispensing means back and forth in intermittent indexed movements parallel to said transverse rows, said means for moving said dispensing means comprising a lead screw, a carriage mounted on said lead screw for motion therealong in response to rotation thereof and a reversible motor for intermittently rotating said lead screw, said conveyor belt being mounted on said carriage, said indexed movements being equal to the distance from the center of one longitudinal row to the center of another longitudinal row so as to thereby successively register said longitudinal rows with'lsaid grid dispensing means, and means to synchronize saidV indexed movements according to a desired Schedine.

5. Apparatus for automatically depositing grids in compartments of compartrnental trays, said compartments being arranged in mutually perpendicular longitudinal and transverse sets of rows, said apparatus comprising grid dispensing means including a continuously movable conveyor belt feeding into a dispensing guide chute, chain conveyor means for moving said trays past said grid dispensing means in single-direction in intermittent indexed movements parallel to said longitudinal rows to successively register said transverse rows with said grid dispensing guide chute, means for moving said grid dispensing means parallel to said transverse rows back and forth in intermittent indexed movements to successively register said longitudinal rows with said grid dispensing guide chute, said means for moving said dispensing means comprising a lead screw, a carriage mounted on said lead screws for motion therealong in response to rotation thereof and a reversible motor for intermittently rotating said lead screw, said conveyor belt being mounted on said carriage means for synchronizing said longitudinal and transverse indexed movements to register said grid dispensing guide chute with adjacent compartments successively along one transverse row and then along the adjacent transverse row, and means for effecting the dispensing of a grid through said grid dispensing guide chute with each register of said grid dispensing guide chute with successively adjacent compartments according to the composite indexed movements of said apparatus.

6. In apparatus for depositing articles in compartmental trays, the combination with means for advancing said trays in intermittent indexed movements in a given single direction of article transport and dispensing apparatus comprising a carriage, carriage drive means for driving said carriage back and forth along a rectilinear path perpendicular to said given single direction, a conveyor belt and drive means therefor mounted on said carriage with said conveyor belt being disposed substantially parallel to said path, means for selectively conditioning said carriage drive means to drive said carriage along said path in intermittent indexed movements, means for actuating said last-named means according to a predetermined schedule, said actuating means including a plurality of switches and a plurality of switch trippers fixed to said carriage in predetermined spaced relation, whereby said conveyor belt is adapted to be shifted from one predetermined position along said path to another predetermined position along said path.

7. In apparatus for depositing articles in compartmentized trays the combination with means for advancing said trays in intermittent indexing movement in a given single direction of article transport and dispensing apparatus comprising a carriage, a carriage motor, carriage drive means coupled `between said carriage and said carriage motor and including a lead screw for moving said carriage back and forth along a rectilinear path perpendicular to said given single direction, an endless conveyor belt mounted on said carriage and disposed substantially parallel to said path, a conveyor belt motor and drive means mounted on said carriage for continuously advancing said endles conveyor belt, an electromagnetic clutch for engaging said carriage motor with said lead screw to move said carriage along said path, a first switch mounted adjacent said apparatus and adapted to periodically energize said clutch to actuate said lead screw, a plurality of switches disposed in predetermined spaced relationship along said lead screw, a plurality of switch trippers mounted on said carriage for actuating said plurality of switches when said carriage is advanced along said lead screw, and an electrical circuit connected between saidplurality of switches and said clutch for deenergizing said clutch after a predetermined advance thereof, whereby periodic intermittent indexed movements of said carriage and said conveyor belt along said path are effected.

8. Article dispensing apparatus comprising a belt conveyor including a pair of rollers and an endless belt mounted on said rollers, means for .moving said endless belt over said rollers to provide a conveying action in a given direction along a given path, means for shifting the location of saidv belt conveyor including said rollers and said endless, belt back and forth along said given path, means forY stoppingl the shifting of'said' belt at extreme positions` and' at an intermediate position along said path in each direction of shitting` of said ybelt means for controlling said shifting means to provide predetermined cyclicback'and forth indexed shift movements of said belt conveyor whereby said belt conveyor is adapted to convey articles in said given direction andV dispense them at diierent predetermined locations 'along said path, means to feed articles to said conveyor belt and means to synchronizeA said means for shifting with said means for feeding articles.

9. Article dispensing apparatus comprising a machine framev member, a lead screw rotatably mounted on said machine frame, a lead screw drive motor mounted on said machine frame, a clutchfor selectively coupling said lead screw motor to said lead screw, a carriage mounted for actuation thereof; and said control means comprises at least one pressure sensitive switch mounted on said machine frame, a plurality of switch trippers iixedly mounted relative to said carriage, and an actuator switch; said pressure sensitive switch, said actuator switch, and

` said clutch being electrically connected together; said actuator switch and said pressure sensitive switch being adapted to actuate said clutch to provide engagement and disengagement,'respectively, of said lead screw motor with said'lead screw, said switch trippers being positioned in predetermined spaced relationship for actuating said pressure sensitive switch to stop movement of said carriage along said lead screw at predetermined positions therealong.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS `2,536,356 Dager Jan. 2, 1951 Y2,578,176 Dager Dec. 11, 1951 2,709,974 Hunter et al. .lune 7, 1955 2,744,372 Cleaveland et al. May 8, 1956 2,889,676 Griffith June 9, 1959 2,914,900 Smith et al. Dec. l, 1959 

